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Speed Network Weaving

This activity is a fun way to start a meeting or have a break to make quick connections and build

energy as part of a meeting. The questions can be changed based on the purpose and outcomes

of the activity but it always involves quick connections with pairs.

Instructions

Have everyone stand up and find someone they don’t know, or don’t know well. Have them

take turns listening to each other as they answer one of the following questions. You can

adapt the questions to fit the topic of the meeting. Give them about 5 minutes for the

entire exchange. After 2.5 minutes, remind them to change partners if they haven’t already.

After the first round, have the group debrief the experience. Ask “Who had a really good

listener?” Then ask one of those who raise their hands what that person did that made

them aware they were listening well? Ask several others to point out other aspects of good

listening (eye contact, leaning towards me, restating answers, asking questions, etc).

Then have people find another person they don’t know and repeat the activity with

another question. After this ask people if they found themselves listening more

effectively.

Sample questions

1. What excites you about the idea of networks?

2. What would you like to learn about networks?

3. What is an example of a very effective network you have been a part of?

Tips and Traps

[weavers to generate content with Kristin’s support]1

1 Creative Commons license. Holley, June Network Weaver Handbook: A Guide to Transformational Networks (2012)